What Not To Feed Your Dog on Thanksgiving

We love to celebrate the holidays with Chuy, our Chihuahua. Dogs are part of the family and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanksgiving for dogs can be really tricky if you don’t know what NOT to feed your dog on Thanksgiving. There are lots of Thanksgiving foods that can be dangerous to your dog…and a bunch that are healthy and delicious!

What Not To Feed Your Dog on Thanksgiving

In this post, we are going to spill the beans on what not to feed your dog on Thanksgiving. Chuy is known to go after literally ANYTHING that is on the floor. That’s really scary especially with a small dog like a Chihuahua. My best advice to you during Thanksgiving meal prep and dinner time is to put your dog in another room or inside of their crate. It gets hectic with all the guests, food, etc. Plus with Chuy if you don’t push in all of the dining room chairs, you guessed it…he will jump on the table. The last thing you want on Thanksgiving is a sick dog and an all night trip to the ER vet.

Before we even dive into this list, do me a favor, ok? Put the Pet Poison Helpline in your phone contacts ASAP. Every single pet parent should have this. Trust me. You don’t want to have to go looking for it when you are panicking.

Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

1. Cooked Bones

Cooked bones can be a total nightmare causing severe digestive issues. They can splinter and get lodged in the throat or intestinal tract. PLEASE keep bones away from your dog!

2. Stuffing

Stuffing, really? Yes! Stuffing is full of yummy seasonings that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even shortness of breath. Everyone makes their stuffing different so you never know what could be in there. These dangerous ingredients include things like onions, garlic, scallions, mushrooms, grapes, raisins, and chives. Just say no to stuffing, Fido.

3. Gravy

Mostly for the same reasons above in stuffing. It’s also super fatty which is a big no-no.

4. Pies and Sweets

Now, dessert is my favorite part of any meal, especially Thanksgiving. All of the sweet treats are totally off limits. Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in many baked goods. It’s extremely toxic and even a small amount can be deadly. This is also found in a lot of gum, mints, and other candies. Oh and all dog parents know that chocolate is totally off limits, right?

5. The Fatty Side Dishes

You know the ones that are full of butter and fat. I’m talking about mashed potatoes, candied yams, and mac n cheese to name a few. Foods that are high in fat can cause pancreatitis.

Here is a fun graphic with a list of what not to feed your dog on Thanksgiving. Pin this on Pinterest!

My rule of thumb? Just stick to dog food. Maybe throw in a few pieces of boneless/well cooked turkey, some PLAIN pumpkin, carrots, and a green bean or two. Your dog will give you those begging eyes but there’s no reason to give in. It’s better to be safe than sorry and end up in the vet or worse.

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